Q&A with Tiina Laakkonen of TIINA the STORE in Amagansett

"A phenomenon known as “the blue moment” occurs when the sun dips below the horizon in Finland. The calming, ethereal blue light that appears may have influenced Tiina Laakkonen, a well-known fashion stylist with a penchant for the cerulean hue, which she showcases in her Long Island summer collection.

Growing up in the small town of Imatra, Finland, Laakkonen wore clothes made by her mother, who taught her how to sew, knit and crochet. “I first made clothes for my dolls and then later for myself,” she recalled. “I also loved to draw and, from an early age, a lot of my drawings were fashion illustrations.”

Laakkonen decided to open TIINA the STORE in Amagansett in 2012 to share her singular aesthetic vision. Her focus is on high-quality, unique design versus what she calls “fast fashion.” The cosmopolitan stylist refers to the boutique as her “personal dream closet,” where she curates a mix of artisanal luxury fashion brands and housewares, including items with the famed Finnish Marimekko prints. She also features a special guest room that allows designers to showcase their brands in depth. Laakkonen discussed home décor, fashion, fair trade and her favorite shade of blue."